<p>Vaccine maker Bharat Biotech claimed that its Covaxin booster dose can neutralise both the Omicron and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2.</p>.<p>The Hyderabad-based company cited the results from a study conducted at Emory University, Atlanta, USA “demonstrating that sera from subjects who received a booster dose of Covaxin six months after getting a primary two-dose neutralised the Omicron and Delta variants.”</p>.<p>The central government has recently initiated the administration of Covid-19 vaccine third dose, at a time when the Omicron variant is spreading like wildfire.</p>.<p>According to the study, 100 percent of test serum samples showed neutralisation of the Delta variant while neutralisation of the Omicron variant is more than 90 percent.</p>.<p>“As the dominant Covid-19 variant across the globe, Omicron poses a serious public health concern,” said Mehul Suthar, assistant professor, Emory Vaccine Center, who led the laboratory analysis.</p>.<p><strong>Also read:<a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/mask-up-india-omicron-is-far-from-benign-1070524.html"> Mask up India, Omicron is far from benign</a></strong></p>.<p>“Data from this preliminary analysis show individuals receiving a booster dose of Covaxin have a significant immune response to both the Omicron and Delta variants. The findings suggest that a booster dose has the potential to reduce disease severity and hospitalisations.”</p>.<p>The study would be published on the pre-print server, medRXiv, soon. It was sponsored by Ocugen, Inc., Bharat Biotech's USA partner. Bharat Biotech provided sera of the subjects from Phase 2 study.</p>.<p>The new data adds to the body of evidence that the broad-spectrum action mechanism of whole virus inactivated Covid-19 vaccine, like Covaxin, is a viable option in this continuously evolving pandemic, Bharat Biotech said in a statement on Wednesday.</p>.<p>Earlier studies have demonstrated the neutralising potential of Covaxin against SARS-CoV-2 variants of Concern - Alpha, Beta, Delta, Zeta and Kappa, the company said.</p>.<p>Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Biotech said, “The positive neutralisation responses against the Omicron and Delta variants validates our hypothesis of a multi-epitope vaccine generating both humoral and cell mediated immune responses. Our goal of developing a global vaccine against Covid-19 has been achieved with Covaxin usage as a universal vaccine for adults and children.”</p>.<p>Sera samples from individuals who received a booster of Covaxin (BBV152) were observed to be effective in neutralising Omicron and Delta variants on a live virus neutralisation assay. The neutralisation activity of Covaxin-boosted sera was comparable to what has been observed in mRNA vaccine-boosted sera against the Omicron variant.</p>.<p>More than 90 percent of all individuals boosted with Covaxin showed neutralising antibodies. All participants received an initial two-dose schedule of Covaxin (BBV152) on Day 0 and Day 28.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos:</strong></p>
<p>Vaccine maker Bharat Biotech claimed that its Covaxin booster dose can neutralise both the Omicron and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2.</p>.<p>The Hyderabad-based company cited the results from a study conducted at Emory University, Atlanta, USA “demonstrating that sera from subjects who received a booster dose of Covaxin six months after getting a primary two-dose neutralised the Omicron and Delta variants.”</p>.<p>The central government has recently initiated the administration of Covid-19 vaccine third dose, at a time when the Omicron variant is spreading like wildfire.</p>.<p>According to the study, 100 percent of test serum samples showed neutralisation of the Delta variant while neutralisation of the Omicron variant is more than 90 percent.</p>.<p>“As the dominant Covid-19 variant across the globe, Omicron poses a serious public health concern,” said Mehul Suthar, assistant professor, Emory Vaccine Center, who led the laboratory analysis.</p>.<p><strong>Also read:<a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/mask-up-india-omicron-is-far-from-benign-1070524.html"> Mask up India, Omicron is far from benign</a></strong></p>.<p>“Data from this preliminary analysis show individuals receiving a booster dose of Covaxin have a significant immune response to both the Omicron and Delta variants. The findings suggest that a booster dose has the potential to reduce disease severity and hospitalisations.”</p>.<p>The study would be published on the pre-print server, medRXiv, soon. It was sponsored by Ocugen, Inc., Bharat Biotech's USA partner. Bharat Biotech provided sera of the subjects from Phase 2 study.</p>.<p>The new data adds to the body of evidence that the broad-spectrum action mechanism of whole virus inactivated Covid-19 vaccine, like Covaxin, is a viable option in this continuously evolving pandemic, Bharat Biotech said in a statement on Wednesday.</p>.<p>Earlier studies have demonstrated the neutralising potential of Covaxin against SARS-CoV-2 variants of Concern - Alpha, Beta, Delta, Zeta and Kappa, the company said.</p>.<p>Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Biotech said, “The positive neutralisation responses against the Omicron and Delta variants validates our hypothesis of a multi-epitope vaccine generating both humoral and cell mediated immune responses. Our goal of developing a global vaccine against Covid-19 has been achieved with Covaxin usage as a universal vaccine for adults and children.”</p>.<p>Sera samples from individuals who received a booster of Covaxin (BBV152) were observed to be effective in neutralising Omicron and Delta variants on a live virus neutralisation assay. The neutralisation activity of Covaxin-boosted sera was comparable to what has been observed in mRNA vaccine-boosted sera against the Omicron variant.</p>.<p>More than 90 percent of all individuals boosted with Covaxin showed neutralising antibodies. All participants received an initial two-dose schedule of Covaxin (BBV152) on Day 0 and Day 28.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos:</strong></p>